Steampunkette
2015-06-01, 11:52 AM
So I've seen a few threads about skills and how there's so much less variety or options in how a player gains or uses skills. So to deal with that a bit, here's a suggestion:
Break Down the Proficiency Bonus, multiply it by the number of Skills the class gets plus background skills, and apply it as skill points.
For example, a Rogue gains automatic Thief's tools proficiency. Tools cannot be altered. At level 1 it's a +2 bonus increasing with proficiency. However she also gets to choose 4 skills, base, and if she's a criminal she gets two additional skills in Deception and Stealth, but skills are interchangeable especially when there is overlap (taking stealth as a rogue skill means you can spend the background stealth proficiency on a different skill).
So, instead, you'd have 6 (skill choices) times 2 (proficiency bonus) skill points, or 12. With a max of 2 skill points spent on any given skill. However you could put one point in Deception and a point in Performance or some other breakdown that you normally can't get in 5e.
As you hit new proficiency tiers (5, 9, 13, 17) you get another pool of skill points (6 for the example Rogue). If you're using the Feat system and choose the Skilled feat, just add 3 to the skill point pools at later levels and 6 at the start.
Projected effects on gameplay: Minimal. Many players will focus on their "Core" skills in order to be the best at them, but those who spread out more will be adept at a wider range of tasks and feel more comprehensive. Expect a 5% to 20% disparity on average skill check results.
Break Down the Proficiency Bonus, multiply it by the number of Skills the class gets plus background skills, and apply it as skill points.
For example, a Rogue gains automatic Thief's tools proficiency. Tools cannot be altered. At level 1 it's a +2 bonus increasing with proficiency. However she also gets to choose 4 skills, base, and if she's a criminal she gets two additional skills in Deception and Stealth, but skills are interchangeable especially when there is overlap (taking stealth as a rogue skill means you can spend the background stealth proficiency on a different skill).
So, instead, you'd have 6 (skill choices) times 2 (proficiency bonus) skill points, or 12. With a max of 2 skill points spent on any given skill. However you could put one point in Deception and a point in Performance or some other breakdown that you normally can't get in 5e.
As you hit new proficiency tiers (5, 9, 13, 17) you get another pool of skill points (6 for the example Rogue). If you're using the Feat system and choose the Skilled feat, just add 3 to the skill point pools at later levels and 6 at the start.
Projected effects on gameplay: Minimal. Many players will focus on their "Core" skills in order to be the best at them, but those who spread out more will be adept at a wider range of tasks and feel more comprehensive. Expect a 5% to 20% disparity on average skill check results.